Musée Art & Histoire - Access-i

Strong points

Points of attention

• The majority of the objects and works on display are visible.
• Lockers are available near the reception desk. The lockers are of various heights, and tokens are available at the reception desk.
• Entrance for wheelchair users is possible via an alternative entrance directly next to the main entrance.
• It is necessary to ring the bell so that staff can let the visitor in. The bell is high.
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• The majority of the museum is accessible, however, it is necessary to call on the museum staff. Passage through the floors is by lift or freight lift in areas closed to the public. This causes detours.
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• On floor 1, access to the "Rome" rooms is provided by an inclined plane. The inclined plane is equipped with a 5 cm border on both sides. The slope is 12% over 1.30m.
• On level -1, access to the Belgian and European prehistory, Gallo-Roman and Merovingian rooms is possible thanks to the presence of 2 slopes. The maximum gradient is 13% over 2m.
• At the end of the Gallo-Roman hall, there is an area displaying tombs. To access this area, it is necessary to cross a very steep slope, this area is not accessible. 

Sanitary 

• The grab rails are too high and difficult to use. 

Shop 

• In the shop, free passage is sometimes reduced to 70cm.
• The counter is high. The payment device is easy to handle.
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Strong points

Points of attention

• There are two ways to enter the building: the main entrance with the main staircase or the alternative entrance near the entrance with a lift.
• It is necessary to ring the bell for staff to come and open the door. 
• The circulation of the floors is on one level. 
• The building is very large, so it is necessary to walk long distances to visit all the rooms.
• Changes of floor are mainly done by stairs. 
• Most of the staircases are equipped with handrails on both sides.
• The handrails often start at the 3rd step. 
• The staircase to the Islamic arts room is dangerous. It is very steep and only has a handrail on one side.
• On level -1, access to the Belgian and European prehistory, Gallo-Roman and Merovingian rooms is possible thanks to the presence of 2 inclined planes, to compensate for 2 steps. The ramps are equipped with handrails on both sides.
• On the first floor, access to and exit from the "Rome" rooms is made possible by inclined planes to compensate for one step. The inclined planes are not equipped with handrails. 
• At the end of the Gallo-Roman room, there is an area displaying tombs. To access this area, it is necessary to climb a steep slope (13% over 5m). The slope is not equipped with a handrail.
• The adapted toilet is equipped with grab bars. The grab bars are high and difficult to use.​

Strong points

Points of attention

Note: In our analysis, we assume that blind people come accompanied when visiting museums.

Indeed, our experience has highlighted this aspect.

• There are no works to touch.
•  Some of the exhibition furniture cannot be detected with a walking stick.
• Some of the exhibits are not on a base, so they are difficult to detect with a cane.
• The handrails often start at the 3rd step and protrude at the top end.
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• On floor 1, access to and exit from the "Rome" rooms are provided by inclined planes to compensate for a step.
• The inclined planes are not equipped with handrails.
• In the "Rome" room, there is a mosaic on the floor. The mosaic is partially delimited by a metal border. The security is incomplete. 
• On level -1, access to the Belgian and European prehistory, Gallo-Roman and Merovingian rooms is possible thanks to the presence of 2 inclined planes, to compensate for 2 steps. The ramps are equipped with handrails on both sides.
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Strong points

Points of attention

• There are no works to touch.
• There is no audio guide or audio description support.
• Some of the exhibition furniture cannot be detected with a cane.
• Some of the objects on display are not on a base, making them difficult to detect with a cane.
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• The lighting varies according to the layout of the rooms.
• The rooms: Arts of the Islamic World, Near East, Iran, Gallo-Roman, Merovingian, India, Pakistan, Gothic-Renaissance and Baroque are rather dark and lack contrast.
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• On level -1, access to the Belgian and European prehistory, Gallo-Roman and Merovingian rooms is possible thanks to the presence of 2 inclined planes, to compensate for 2 steps.
• The ramps are equipped with handrails on both sides.
• On level -1, in the Merovingian room, it is possible to see skeletons in glass tombs. It is necessary to walk between the glazed and floor-lit tombs.
• On level 0, in the Islamic Art Room, on the side walkways, there are glazed display cases in the walkway, not contrasted. 
• On floor 1, in the "Rome" room, there is a mosaic on the floor. The mosaic is partially delimited by a metal border. The securing is incomplete and non-contrasting.
• On floor 1, access to and egress from the "Rome" rooms are provided by contrasting inclined planes to compensate for a step. The inclined planes are not equipped with handrails. 
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• The stairs are all equipped with a handrail on one side. Handrails often start at the 3rd step and extend to the top end.

Strong points

Points of attention

• There is no audio support.
• The videos in the model room are subtitled.
• The wifi does not work throughout the building.
• There is little signage in the building.

Strong points

Points of attention

Strong points

Points of attention

• In the Merovingian Hall on level -1, it is possible to see skeletons in glass tombs. In order to be able to see the skeletons, it is necessary to walk between the glassed-in, floor-lit tombs. 
• Some rooms allow you to see the lower floors, which can be disturbing (emptiness, vertigo). 

Strong points

Points of attention